The blue light at the nail salon is one of those things we totally assume isn't so good for us, but we rationalize that so little of our skin is in there, for so little time—and we really really want those nails we spent so much time and money on to dry as perfectly as possible. So we try to avoid thinking about the whole thing too much.
I'm there with you. But here's the thing. While a new study does conclude that the risk involved in nail-salon UV lights probably isn't major, since Skin Cancer Awareness Month has just kicked off, we wanted to relay the Skin Cancer Foundation's official stance on the matter of the blue light. To summarize their advice:
1) Apply a hand lotion that offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection (at the point when you pay, before the polish goes on—your manicurist can then swipe your fingertips with toner to remove any residue). Or use regular-old sunscreen. (If you're doing a gel mani, there's a lot more time under the lights, thus even more reason for quick SPF prep.)
OR
2) Flip off the UV light and just use the fan, because let's face it, nails take forever to dry either way.
I mean, even though we're not talking tanning-bed levels of UV here, why risk it when it's so easy to avoid exposure? Your nails will still be pretty. So go ahead and stash one of these lotions in your handbag before your next salon visit.
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Meanwhile: This two-minute skin check has saved so many Glamour readers' lives over the past few years. It's two minutes of your day, vs. the rest of your life. Go do it.
How many of you go ahead and cook your nails a lil' bit when you're at the nail salon? Would you take the step of applying SPF lotion first, or maybe consider using just the fan? Let's discuss.